§ 14. Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that members of the special constabulary at Leather-head are being called upon to perform ordinary traffic duty on Sundays; and whether such employment is in accordance with the special constabulary Regulations?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am aware that members of the Surrey Special Constabulary 2153 have been employed to assist the police in controlling the very heavy traffic passing through Leatherhead on Sundays, but I am informed that only those who have volunteered for the duty are so employed. I have no reason to think that such employment infringes any Regulations.
§ Mr. HAYESMay I ask, in case a special constable expressed his disapproval of this Sunday duty, whether it would be accepted in the sense that it would not be contrary to discipline?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMay I put it in this way. I have seen this matter referred to in the Press, and if there is any real feeling with regard to this voluntary duty I will cause personal inquiries to be made into it.
§ Colonel DAYIs it not a fact that special constables in other parts of the country are also called upon to do Sunday duty?
§ Major Sir GRANVILLE WHELERHas the Home Secretary taken into account the fact of the extraordinarily heavy increase in the burdens, especially on the county police, due to the increased amount of road traffic?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo one is more aware than I am both of the enormous increase in the traffic in the counties and in London, and the very heavy burden that is thrown on the police.
Sir F. HALLCould the right hon. Gentleman not approach the Treasury to see if they can get some portion of the surplus of the Road Fund to help to meet these heavy expenses?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYWould there not be a saving if police traps for motorists were discontinued?